Imagine the NFL Draft as a Texas poker game. Jerry Jones sits at the table, cowboy hat tilted, holding a hand that could either bust the house or make it rain confetti at AT&T Stadium. The stakes?

A 6’5”, 219-pound Arizona wildcard named receiver Tetairoa McMillan—a human cheat code with 3,423 career yards and a knack for turning jump balls into highlight reels. While mock drafts buzz about flashier names, whispers out of Dallas suggest Jones might skip the bluff and go all-in on a prospect who’s been hiding in plain sight.

Think Randy Moss meets a young Dez Bryant—if Bryant could high-point a football like he was swatting flies at a Fourth of July barbecue. McMillan isn’t just big; he’s a smooth criminal (shoutout to PFF) in cleats, shredding secondaries with a rare mix of size and suddenness. But as the April 24 draft looms, the Cowboys’ war room faces a dilemma: Play it safe? Or bet big on a talent that could redefine their offense?

On March 29, PFF analyst Dalton Wasserman dropped a truth bomb on X: “There’s a lot of overthinking going on right now with McMillan. The way he moves at 6’5” is rare. Tets, I think a special talent, and what you’ve seen the last year and a half is the best vertical receiver in college football.” The numbers back it up.

1,319 yards and 8 touchdowns in 2024. McMillan dominated as college football’s most efficient vertical weapon in 2024, consistently winning 50/50 battles. For a Cowboys team that ranked 31st (per teamrankings.com) in red-zone efficiency last season, McMillan’s frame is a godsend. “He’s a better separator than you think,” Wasserman added. “I really don’t understand lately, when we’ve seen mock drafts dropping him into the late teens or even the 20s. I don’t know if he should get outside the top eight, honestly.”

Dallas holds the No. 12 pick—a sweet spot for snagging overlooked gems. Besides, pairing receiver Tetairoa McMillan with CeeDee Lamb would give Dak Prescott a 1-2 punch reminiscent of Michael Irvin and Alvin Harper in the ’90s. Tet’s not just a red-zone threat. He’s essentially a chain-mover who’ll make Lamb even deadlier. But here’s the thing. McMillan’s volleyball background (yes, volleyball) taught him to elevate like a young Antonio Gates. That four-step approach? Pure gold in jump-ball situations.

McMillan isn’t just a ‘big guy.’ He’s a technician. His 15.7 yards per catch scream deep threat, and his 90 receptions in 2023 prove he’s no one-trick pony. For Dallas, drafting him isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. Meanwhile, Jerry Jones can’t stop eyeing Colorado’s Travis Hunter—a two-way unicorn who logged 1,258 receiving yards and 4 interceptions in 2024.

Travis Hunter: The tempting curveball amid the McMillan conversation

Jerry’s smitten over Hunter, suggested The Athletic’s Dianna Russini. Besides, Hunter’s a showman, and Jones loves fireworks. But Hunter’s a projected top-5 pick. Swinging a trade to nab him would cost Dallas multiple draft picks, a risky move for a team with holes at offensive line and linebacker. Hunter’s appeal?

He’s Deion Sanders 2.0—a human Swiss Army knife who could line up opposite Lamb or replace Jourdan Lewis in the slot. However, two-way players are fun until Week 8, then their legs slowly (and quite naturally) turn to jelly. Jones has never shied from drama, though. In 1992, he traded up for safety Darren Woodson, a move that fueled three Super Bowl runs. Could McMillan be this era’s Woodson? Or does Hunter’s siren song tempt him into mortgaging the future?

One thing’s certain: The Cowboys’ offense needs a jolt. Since Amari Cooper’s departure, Lamb has shouldered the load, often facing double teams. McMillan’s presence would force defenses to pick their poison. As draft night nears, Jones faces a crossroads. Go bold with McMillan—a polished, physical force—or chase Hunter’s shimmering potential. The safer bet?

Receiver Tetairoa McMillan. The Cowboys aren’t just drafting a receiver, though. They’re investing in Dak Prescott’s prime and Lamb’s legacy. In the words of Friday Night Lights’ Coach Taylor… “Every man at some point in his life loses a battle. But he always gets a chance for redemption.” For Jerry, redemption wears No. 4 from Arizona.

So, Cowboys fans: Would you ride with the surefire playmaker? Or gamble on the two-way phenom?